Your Guide to a Los Angeles Elopement

 

Los Angeles – City of Angels, of endless Sunshine, La-La Land. Whatever you know it as it’s hard not to love this scattered metropolis with its convergence of cultures and the abundance of opportunity. 

As elopements and intimate weddings become more and more common, people are searching for places to elope that are more than just a pretty backdrop — they are looking for places that are meaningful or for a place that offers an unforgettable experience to coincide with their ceremony.

A Los Angeles elopement should definitely be on your list to consider when planning your wedding. And my hope is that this guide will help you in your planning process.

 

Your Guide To a Los Angeles Elopement

 

Why Los Angeles? 

Let’s start here — why LA?  

As a native of Southern California, I have known and loved Los Angeles my entire life and I love sharing it with my clients. There is so much culture and art in LA. And from a photographic or elopement aspect, the opportunities for unique and enlightening experiences never cease.  

And because of this,  I think having a Los Angeles elopement is always a grand idea. 

What makes this gritty city so special and so unique? And what makes it so perfect for an elopement? 

 

Cultural Diversity

Los Angeles is known for its diversity and with that diversity comes a wide array of cultural opportunities, cuisine, architecture, and the like. And, for me at least, that makes it a perfect canvas for an elopement. 

Los Angeles has seen massive amounts of development in recent years, especially in downtown LA’s Arts District. There is just so much to unpack, explore, and experience.  

Throughout Los Angeles, new restaurants are popping up everywhere, solidifying it as both a culinary and travel destination. From street food vendors to local family-owned restaurants, the diversity of LA’s food, blended with its abundant culture, is truly special. 

 

An Amazing Art Scene

In addition to the diverse cuisine, LA offers an epic art scene. It is unique and impressive and, if you are an art lover, it must be experienced. 

From the Getty to MOCA to LACMA, there are so many museums, and galleries, both big and small, tucked in every corner of the city just waiting to be enjoyed. 

 

Great Photographic Opportunities

LA is huge and there is so much to do without even needing to step foot in busy areas like Hollywood or Beverly Hills. As an LA native, I can take you to places in Los Angeles that most visitors and transplants aren’t aware of. There are truly so many neighborhoods each with its own specific scene and vibe. These lively neighborhoods make for great photography stops. 

Chinatown is the perfect blend of old and new that keeps your senses inspired. And while popular and well-known, there are still many off-the-beaten-track locations that only seasoned locals know about. 

Los Feliz is a great neighborhood outside of Hollywood that combines the best of urban life with the easy accessibility of one of the largest parks in the United States, Griffith Park. A canyon-filled park, which also includes a magical merry-go-round and the LA Zoo, is an enlivening way to spend a day celebrating your elopement.

 

Weather

The weather in Los Angeles is great. Fall, winter, and spring are all mild and enjoyable and the city has the advantage of 275 sunny days a year. This makes planning a Los Angeles elopement a bit less stressful as you don’t have to have to worry about the forecast as much as you may in other places. 

 

Location

If you decide on a Los Angeles elopement, you are in a prime location.

Think of your elopement as an experience, one where your elopement is just the start of an unforgettable adventure. The entire state is at your fingertips when you start your elopement celebration in LA. 

If you decide to extend your stay there are so many other amazing cities within the Los Angeles area, such as Pasadena and Long Beach. Step outside of the city limits and you have innumerable beaches and mountains to explore. Roadtrip it up the coast on the fabled Pacific Coast Highway. Take a tour of Sonoma’s wine country. Learn to surf or hike through Big Sur.

Truly, you have the ability to make your elopement a west coast vacation filled with road trips, amazing food, and cultural experiences.

Best Locations for an Elopement

There are a lot of great places to have your elopement ceremony, from both a convenience and a photographic stance. Here are a few of my favorites: 

Vazquez Rocks

An easy hour’s drive from LA, the impressive and surreal Vazquez Rocks not only has an interesting history but makes a beautiful backdrop for your Los Angeles elopement. 

The rocks are named for the infamous bandit, Tiburcio Vazquez, who hid from the sheriff amongst these rocks back in 1874. But its history really dates back eons before when the unique rock formations began forming on what was the ocean floor. Sediment layering and seismic activity both contributed to these unique formations. The Chumash tribe were the original inhabitants of this area. Later occupying the land was the Tataviam tribe, who practiced a type of shamanism. You can still see their paintings on the rock which depict their religious visions.

Since then, this area has been popular for picnicking, hiking, and even as movie sets. And it’s not surprising, these primordial rock formations stand out at an awe-inspiring 45-degree angle making you feel like you are on another planet. 

If you like fascinating science and outdoor wonders, Vazquez Rocks should definitely be a consideration. 

 

Catalina Island

Just south of Los Angeles you’ll find Catalina Island.  A ferry ride from the mainland, Catalina Island, which is part of California’s channel islands is definitely a full-day trip, if not a multi-day trip. 

Catalina Island is gorgeous and romantic, a perfect place for an intimate elopement. It feels like the Medierterrean, like the French Riviera of California. 

From spas and upscale lodging and dining to hiking, casinos, and even adventure tours (there are bison on the island!), you’ll have a wide selection of options for activities and experiences after the ceremony. 

There is just so much to do on Catalina Island that can really create such a unique experience for your wedding. One idea is to consider chartering a sailboat and getting married on it (or even just taking an excursion for the photography opportunity). 

 

Topanga Canyon

Close to Malibu and the beach, Topanga Canyon State Park is a lovely place to create some wedding memories. 

Topanga Canyon is a part of the Santa Monica Mountains and abounds with miles and miles (36 miles to be exact) of trails, rugged canyons, wide open grasslands, and expansive ocean views. It is rustic enough to feel remote and secluded but is super close to Malibu and other LA suburbs.  

After you’ve explored Topanga Canyon, head over to Malibu to watch the sunset on the beach and catch an inspiring dinner in town.  Or the town of Topanga may be more your vibe with its rugged, laid-back appeal. It’s a cute little hippie town with quite a few locally-owned cafes and stores. 

 

Downtown Los Angeles City Hall

You can’t go wrong with a classic elopement at the downtown w. Modern, sleek, and delightfully urban, you’ll love the chico art deco vibe and the amazing photographic opportunities all around the property. 

As a bonus, it is inexpensive to get married here, allowing you to focus more on other parts of your wedding experience. Its location downtown also allows you access to many restaurants, venues, and other unique spaces if you are hosting a reception after your intimate vows. 

Bonus venue: Pasadena City Hall. If you want to stay away from the business of LA proper, consider Pasadena City Hall.  With the same classic vibes, Pasadena City Hall offers stunningly beautiful design, the combination of  Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles.

 

 

How to Plan a Los Angeles Elopement

The beautiful thing about elopements is that they can truly take a life of their own. You can fashion them completely after your personality and without the input of others, no matter how well intended.  

For this reason, each elopement that I photograph unfolds in a completely unique way. 

Contact me for more information on my elopement packages and how you can best document this beautiful time in your life.